Petit Bleu de GascogneCharacteristics, history, training and care
Petit Bleu de Gascogne. · Canarian / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.
The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a medium-sized French hound, distinguished and well proportioned, with a mottled black-and-white coat that looks blue. It is not a small dog: “petit” comes from small game, especially the hare. The standard describes it as a dog with a fine nose and a beautiful voice, calm, affectionate and obedient.
Quick facts
| Common name | Petit Bleu de Gascogne |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | France |
| Official recognition | FCI, definitively since 23 October 1963 (group 6, medium-sized hounds, with working trial; standard no. 31) |
| Lifespan | No published data for the breed; medium-sized breeds usually live 10–13 years |
| Size (males) | 52–58 cm at the withers |
| Size (females) | 50–56 cm at the withers |
| Coat type | Short, semi-thick, dense |
| Common colours | Mottled black and white, with a slate-blue effect; black patches and tan markings |
| Energy level | High |
| Suited to an apartment? | No |
| Temperament | Calm, affectionate, obedient |
| Tendency to aggression | Low |
| Good with children | No specific data |
| Good with other animals | Good with other dogs (works in a pack); poor with small animals |
| Genetic predispositions | No breed-specific diseases are known |
- Primary category:Dog breeds
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History and origin
The FCI standard says the breed is a deliberate reduction of the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, which certainly goes back to the latter's origins and is directly linked to the way it was used.
Wikipedia says it is not a small dog: the name comes from its use on small game. It is a hound used for hunting with a gun, sometimes also for driving game; its favourite quarry is the hare, but it also does well with big game.
How the breed developed
- Long ago – Blue hounds hunt in Gascony.
- Later – Smaller dogs are selected for small game.
- 23 October 1963 – The FCI recognises the breed.
- 1 August 2023 – the current FCI standard is published.
Breed rating
| Feature | Stars |
|---|---|
| Training and intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
| Easy to train | ★★★★☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
| Independence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stubbornness | ★★★☆☆ |
| Behaviour and temperament | ★★★★☆ |
| Affectionate with family | ★★★★★ |
| Friendly with children | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good with other dogs | ★★★★☆ |
| Good with cats and other animals | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Loyalty | ★★★★★ |
| Tendency to be aggressive | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tendency to bark | ★★★★★ |
| Needs and care | ★★★☆☆ |
| Shedding | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Needs frequent grooming | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Activity and lifestyle | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy level | ★★★★☆ |
| Daily exercise needs | ★★★★★ |
| Suited to apartment life | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Health and longevity | ★★★☆☆ |
| Life expectancy | ★★★★☆ |
| Predisposition to genetic diseases | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Working abilities and uses | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good hunting dog | ★★★★★ |
| Good companion dog | ★★★★☆ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile, so the rating is based on the FCI standard.
Physical characteristics
The standard describes it as a medium-sized hound, well proportioned and distinguished.
General appearance
The skull is only very slightly domed, without excessive width, with a full forehead. The coat is short, semi-thick and dense. On the head it has two black patches that cover the ears and surround the eyes, without meeting on the top of the head.
| Feature | Petit Bleu de Gascogne |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium to large |
| Height at the withers | males: 52–58 cm; females: 50–56 cm |
| Coat | Short, dense |
| Colour | Black and white, with a blue effect |
| Head | With two black patches |
| Type | Pack hound |
The coat is entirely mottled black and white, giving a slate-blue effect, with or without larger black patches. Two black patches usually sit on either side of the head, leaving a white area between them, in the middle of which there is often a small black spot.
Training and socialisation
The standard describes it as a hound with a fine nose, focused when hunting, with a beautiful voice, that works well in a pack. It has a calm and affectionate character and obeys commands easily.
Like any hound, it follows trails by scent, so the recall must be practised constantly.
Tips for effective training
- Practise the recall. Its nose can take it a long way.
- Use rewards. It obeys commands easily.
- Give it a job. It enjoys search games.
- Think of the neighbours. It has a loud voice.
Activity needs and lifestyle
As a hunting hound, it needs a lot of exercise and outings in nature every day.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Long walks in nature | daily | Stamina |
| Trail work | several times a week | A fine nose |
| Running in a fenced area | several times a week | Energy |
Tips for a balanced life
- It is best suited to hunters.
- The fence must be solid.
- It gets on well with other dogs.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The short, dense coat is brushed once a week with a rubber mitt. The long ears are checked regularly.
Common health problems
No health studies have been published for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any long-eared hound, it is worth watching for:
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Ear infections | Infections of the long, hanging ears | Shakes its head, unpleasant smell, red ears |
| Hip dysplasia | The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops | Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain |
Other care
- Clean the ears weekly.
- Check for ticks after outings in nature.
- Check its paws after hunting.
Diet and nutrition
An active hound needs good-quality food suited to its level of exertion.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.
| Dog's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 kg | 980 kcal | 1,100 kcal | 240–310 g |
| 22 kg | 1,140 kcal | 1,280 kcal | 280–370 g |
| 26 kg | 1,290 kcal | 1,450 kcal | 320–410 g |
- Split the food into two meals a day.
- Do not let it run right after a meal.
- A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.
Foods to avoid
Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.
Reproduction and development
Physical and emotional maturity
In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. The body also reaches its adult form later than in small breeds.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.
Caring for the puppies
In large breeds, a litter has around 7 puppies on average. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.
Interesting facts
- It is not small. “Petit” comes from small game, not from its size.
- Blue from white and black. The fine black-and-white mottling looks blue.
- A beautiful voice. The standard praises its voice.
- It works in a pack. It gets on well with other dogs.
- Related to the Grand Bleu. It is a deliberate reduction of the Grand Bleu de Gascogne.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a small dog?
No. “Petit” comes from small game.
How big does it get?
Males measure 52–58 cm, females 50–56 cm.
What does it hunt?
Mostly hares, but also big game.
Is it suited to an apartment?
No. It needs a lot of exercise and space.
